Posts Made By: Jake Jacobson

Very nice and sharp image!

-Jake

Gorgeous! Looks like you are having fun with your ST-7E.

-Jake

Hi Gene -

I have been using the MM 130 for a few months now, and it has been an excellent planetary scope. I don't know how it compares to the Orion or Meade maksutovs, as I have never done a side-by-side.

On clear nights, I find it that the top usable magnification (i.e. features are very sharp) is about 380X, so the optical quality is very good.

It does very well for planetary observing. I am attaching a photo I took with this scope, I think it is not too bad considering it was taken with only a 5".

-Jake

....but other than that, those tax cuts sure are working!

Hi David -

Sorry I missed your post until today...

You are right, I now have the 8" newt, and the 5" maksutov. The 8" is the older model, and came with a CG-5 (EQ4) mount. The Mak came with the "EM10", and you are right that it is more than enough to handle the little mak. The CG-5 does fine with the 8" for visual use, and I have also pushed it's limit by taking astrophotos -for which it is not ideal, but certainly possible. The newer EM10 should also have no problems with the 8" for visual, as it is basically a CG-5 knockoff mount. It wouldn't work as well for photography, however, because of the way the drive corrector works - you wouldn't be able to easily make corrections during long exposures.

As for which does better in light pollution, I would have to say that the 8" does - I feel aperture always wins in light pollution. Planet observing is a different story, as they aren't affected much by light pollution. On planets, both scopes do well from L.A. I basically purchased the Mak because it is easy to setup for planet observing. I use it most of the time now, but if the seeing is really good (i.e. can handle more than 400x), I pull out the 8".

Hope that is helpful....

-Jake

Great shot, Jim!

I was observing that "eye" visually a couple of nights ago when it was clear.

-Jake

I stayed all three days (camped), and it was also my first time at RTMC.

I agree with Ron that it was a big disappointment, and I will not be going back.

First off, the place is a huge dustbowl - why anyone would choose that site for such an event involving dust-sensitive optics is beyond me. Everything was covered in a layer of dust within 20 minutes. I could not imagine using a truss dob or similar, the mirror would be ruined.

Secondly, the "telescope field" should really be renamed to the "vendor field", as it appeared that no-one but vendors were allowed to setup there. Everyone else is stuck either setting up in the trees somewhere, or fighing for space in the lower grassy field (which is also quite small).

Third, although I arrived at 8:30am, I was car #70 in line to get in the door. Finding even a halfway adequate campsite in the ensuing chaos was next to impossible. There is absolutely no organization whatsoever regarding campsites.

Fourth, the majority of the presentations were mediocre at best. There were a few interesting ones (such as the interferometry talks), but most of the presentations were geared towards the absolute beginner, or else were presentations of articles we have all already read in either Sky and Telescope, or in Astronomy.

Fifth, the lack of vendors was suprising, as Ron pointed out.

I will say that I nonetheless had a nice time, and that the atmosphere is very fun, and I met some very nice folks. Nonetheless, I doubt that I will ever attend again, it was not worth the money or the hassle.

Hi Lee -

I have the both the SkyCommander, and the NGC-Max. I much prefer the SkyCommander.

That being said, the Argo Navis is probably the best out there. I still prefer the SkyCommander, however, because it is much smaller. (The Argo Navis is HUGE).

Cameron -

If I understand correctily, you don't need an extension tube, you need a shorter 2" adapter.

You should order one from Mercury Systems:

http://www.mercurysupportsystems.com/

It replaces the ring on the end of your focuser (the part with the screws that hold the 2" adapter) and basically makes the ring your 2" adapter.

-Jake

Here is me with my 12.5", which I recently purchased from an observing buddy of mine. He took very good care of it, and it provided some excellent views.